A history of the early settlement of Palermo, Me.

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A HISTORY

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EARLY SETTLEMENl

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PALERMO. ME..

BY

ALLEN GOODWIN.

BELFAST, ME. :

THE AGE PUBLISHING COMPANY,
1896.

PREFACE.

Who is there that does not wish to know what has
passed among his ancestors in early days. In preparing
this brief record of Palermo, it has been my aim to
present to the reader what has long past, and I have
-endeavored to insert only facts, based upon good au-
thority and wish the readers to remember in reading
these old names that they long ago passed away and
many of these old names have been handed down to
the second and third generation. Many thanks are
due those who have in any way assisisted in prepar-
ing this work and it is my desire that it may be of
interest to those of the present day and to the rising
o-eneration.

Allen Goodwin.

CHAPTER I.

I have in my possession an account of the early settlement of
Palermo, written forty years ago by my grandfather, Deacon John Mar-
den. Thinking it may be of interest to some of the residents as well as
former residents of the town, I have concluded to have it published,
together with other facta concerning the early history of Palermo.

My grandfather came to Palermo, Maine, in 1793, with his brother.

Deacon Stephen Marden, who took np a farm on what is now known as

Marden Hill. He made his home with him for eight years. Then he

settled on the farm joining, and their brother Benjamin on one joining

theirs on the west. He was a deacon of the First Baptist Church for

manv years. He died August 25, 1860, at the age of eighty-one j^ears.

The only one of his children now living is a son, Nathan L. Marden of

Veazie, Maine. I remember my dear old grandfather, as his presence

adorned the home of my childhood, and I think of him as the good old

Elijah who sat by the brook side.

Listen to what he has to say .-

Palermo, June 7, 1855.

" 1, John Marden, was born in the Town of Chester, in the County
of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire, Feb. 18, 1779. When I
was in my third year my father was killed by the falling of a tree in the
Town of New^ Hampton, and County of Straftbrd, N. H., on the nineteenth
day of June, 1781. He was forty-four years of age. My mother was
left a widow in poor circumstances, with the care of eight children, and
one added to that number on the twenty-ninth of September following.

It being in the time of the Revolutionary Avar she had many hard-
ships to encounter, having but little but her hands and good economy to
support her family, yet she bore her trouble with a good degree of
christian patience. In the year 1783 a treaty of peace was signed
between the United States and Great Britain, wdiich gave her some relief.

hi the year 17t)0 my eldest brother moved her and the yoniijier part of
tlie family to the town of Canterbuiy, where she spent the remainder of
her life in comfortable circnmstances to the day of her death, which was
on the third day of November, 1830, aoed about ninety-one years.

January, 1793, I came into the District of Maine, at the age of
fourteen years, — in the County of Lincoln (now \Valdo) and took up my
residence at a place called the Great Pond Settlement at the extremity of
the Sheepscot Pond,

I had many hardships to encounter bein«j the only youth in the .place.
The nearest mill was twelve miles, throuij;h a lonely wood, with but little
better than a foot-path and spotted trees. Yet with pleasinu- prospects
I looked forward to the time when this iiood land would be settled.
When school houses and mills wonld be built and roads made, and this
wilderness would become a fruitful field. I took ijreat pleasure in visit-
ing my friends in N. H. once in every three years, although I hnd to
travel the distance of two hundred and twenty miles on the frozen
ground in the month of November or December. I worked with my
brother, Stephen Marden, until I was twenty-two years of age, when I
bought the farm on which I now live, with the barn then built and a log
house thereon. April 23, 1801, I Avas united in marriage with Mary
Bagley of Liberty, and moved on to the farm that spring with a pleasing
prospect of enjoying happiness. For three or four years we were
favored with good health and our crops came in bountifully and all
things bespoke prosperity.

Jan. 22, 1805, I was severely wounded by the falling of a tree.
Then my sutt'erings were very great. Yet my mind was happy in the
Lord, and I could truly say, 'Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.'
On the third day of February I had my left leg amputated above the
knee, w Inch was very expensive at that time, so that my future prospects
of happiness in this world began to decay. In April following we chose
our town officers for the first time. I took a part with them in collecting-
taxes and serving precepts, etc. This year with the past will long be
remembered as a season of great religious excitement in this town and

vicinity. A Baptist Church Mas organized that season and many were
added thereto. I was baptized and added to the church at the next
Auiiust conference. On the tenth day of September my companion was
tal^en sicl^ and died on the sixteenth — with rash and putrid fever — aged
about twenty-two. My little son died on the twenty-first, aged three and
a half years. I had two children left to the mercies of the people. A
daughter, Eliza, two years old and a little son, Hiram, six days old. Then
was my house left to me desolate and everything of this world's Avas
clothed in gloom. All my future prospects gone and the lonely grave-
yard was the pleasantest place that I could visit. I could truly say with
tlie i'salmist :

'Had not thy word been my delight

When earthly joys were fled,
My somI oppressed with sorrows' weight

Had sunk among the dead.'

1 was then led to put mj' trust in the Lord and since that time I have
witnessed much of his goodness.

I disposed of my children where tliey were nursed with tenderness
and care. I left my house and attended to my business in Town that
tall. In the winter 1 went to New Hampshire to visit my friends. I
returned in the spring and finished my collecting and engaged in Town
business again. In the year 1805 I let out my farm to Elder Robinson
and Dr. Pratt with but little expectation to pay the bills and save the
farm. I earned what I could. I found I had many friends to encourage
me and made me some presents. I was encouraged to try and pay the
bills and save the farm. This season I formed an acquaintance with
Mrs. Eunice Ward of Harlem (now China) which was left a widow
about the same time — and near the same age, with three children, two
daughters and a son, the eldest six years and the youngest seventeen
months, with about seven or eight hundred dollars worth of property
for their support. She a professor of religion and a member of the
Baptist Church in Harlem. We were united in marriage on the twenty-
fourth day of August, 1806, and moved home and commenced keeping
house that fall. She assisted me to pay the bills and stock the farm. I

was cncoiira^i'ed to pursue a course of farming for a living" and attend to
Town business and such labor as I could do. Soon after this I Avas
chosen Town Cleric and kept the records, w^liich was continued about
twenty years. In the year 1816 I was appointed . „ Post Master in
Palermo, which Avas continued about seven years. Having the company
and assistance of a prudent and industrious companion I have enjoyed
much peace of mind for many years and have witnessed much of the
goodness of the Lord. We were members of the First Baptist Church
in Palermo forty-live years. We took much satisfaction with our
christian friends both in prosperity and in adversity. In the year 1850
my companion was sick, and died Feb. 28, 1851, aged seventy years and
four months. We had nine children. For a few years past I have wit-
nessed much what I read in the twelfth chapter of Ecclesiastes of the
aged. ' Yet God is the strength of my heart. Although He cause grief
yet He will have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies."
He has been my friend and protector in youth and middle age, and I trust
He will not forsake me when my strength fails. • Therefore will I trust
in Him as long as I live.'

Where I reside is about twenty miles north-eas erly of Augusta,
then called (Fort Weston). The iidiabitants east and north of my resi-
dence were but few at that time. Several small settlements were made
in the woods, and generally called after the name of the tirst settler or
)\v the old Indian name of ponds and streams. The land was very good
for crops of corn and rye. Each settler made their choice for a farm.
No taxes were called for at that time. There were no framed buildings
east or north of my residence for the space of twelve or fifteen miles,
and three or four miles to the south and west until the next April, 179o.
when two barn frames were put up, to the great joy of the settlers, but
more so to the o\vners. After about ten years Townships Avere laid out.
anti petitions Avere sent to Massachusetts for incorpoi-ation, Avhich Avere
readily granted. Then school houses were built and roads Avere made.
Then this Avilderness began to bud and blossom lilsc a rose and soon
became a fruitful field. In the vear 1820, this district Avas admitted into

the I'liion A\illi Ihe other Stales, by ihe name of Maine, to the great joy
of the inhabitants. Now ^hile I am writing, the increasing wealth and
population of Maine leads my mind back to the days of my youth, when
these settlei s w ere all laboring men, engaged in their several occupations,
such as clearing land, raising crops, putting up buildings and fences in
the summer and fall. In the winter and spring all engaged in lumbering,
hunting and sugar making, which was much of it done in the forest at
that tmie. These settlers were all very poor, but as 'happy as clams'
and as friendly to each other as monkeys.

What a change has been made since my acquaintance no further
abroad than even within the County of Waldo. Then, what is now
Palermo had twenty-six families; Montville and Liberty both had about
twenty families and Freedom had none. Belfast village was but thinly
inhabited. Some parts of it was like a forest of evergreen. There
was no wharf at that time. Coasting vessels were loaded with cord-
wood by wheeling on a partly hewed stick of timber from the shore to
the ship. There were but two traders in the village at my tlrst acquain-
tance, namely, NaSmith and Creamer. The road from Montville to
Belfast was through a forest of swamps without any bridgen. The
horses had to all go in one track through the swamps, with a ridge
betw een their stepping places, to give a foot person a chance to walk
over the wet places without wading through the mud and water.

Now from here to Belfast is one of the best of stage roads, passing
through among wealthy farmers, merchants and mechanics. And now
Belfast is one of the pleasantest cities in the State, with one of the
best, safest and pleasantest harbors that can be found on the Eastern
shore. In plain view of all the shipping which sails on the Penobscot
Bay, and in view of the Castine light-house, also of the level, rich and
beautiful country bordering on the north-eastern shore of that beautiful
bay, together with a partial view of Islesboro and Castine on the south
and east, to a distance of twelve miles, which adds much to the beauty
of the place. With a regular line of Steam-ships from Bangor to
Boston, coming to and going from the wharves daily."

10

[ rejoice in the prosperity of Maine, but I cannot repress the risinij
sigli ; nor withhold the fallina; tear. 1 look around for my old contem-
poraries and tind so i'ew of them left. The enquiry is, where are they?
Answer, they are cut down by the scythe of time, and housed in the
silent "rave. And the few that are left are worn dow^n with age and in-
firmities too numerous for me to name. Some with the loss of sight and
hearing; some with the loss of their limbs; some with palsied hands;
and otliers Avith general debilities, etc. And but very few, if any, are
able to talve care of themselves, but have mostly given themselves up to
the care of their children, or grandchildren, or the tOMU to provide for
them. And very soon the last will be gone the way of all the earth, their
lK)dies turned to dust, and their names forgotten, and Maine will be in-
liabited by entire strangers to what has passed in my day.

Now a telegraph line is erected the whole width of the State of
Maine, from city to citv. from New BrunsAvick to New Hampshire, to
the length of four or five hundred miles. Again, look at the railroads
that are already completed, and those that are now under way. All the
above has lieen done in about twenty years.

Wiio would have thought that the stream of intemperance could
liave been turned and dried up by the art of man, when its width and
(leptii was sufficient to run a mill to sa^v lumber to build a village as
large as lenity or Freedom, so that the stream now can be foriled and
soon I trust will be like a rill, running under ground, and the bed of the
ri\ier will soon ))ecome like a fruitful field.

Written at Palernio, Jtine s, 18.')."), at the age of 70 years.

Signed. JOHN MAKDEN.

r'HAPTETJ TT.
This town of Falfcrmo was lirst called Great Pond Settlement Iroiu
the fact that the first settlement was near the Sheepscott Oreat Pon<l.
The tirst settlers of Palermo M-ere principally persons from New

Hampshire. Some of those persons which my grandfather referred to

as the "first settlers were Stephen Beld^i, Christopher Erskines, David

Turner, Benjamin Turner, Jonathan Greeley, Jacob Greeley, Jacob

Worthing, John Johnson, John Bradstreet, Jonathan Bartlett, Joseph

Eust, Stephen Harden and James Harden.

The, first settler in Palermo was Stephen Belden, who came here on
horseback, bringing his Bible under his arm, about 1778. He was mar-
ried to Abagail Godfrey and had a son, Aarpn, prior to coming to Palermo.
They took up the farm where Van Kansalaer Turner now lives. He
died June 15, 1822. Aaron lived here and married. To his wife
Charity, Mas born a daughter, Sabrina, Harch 25, 1805. They moved out
west and he became a minister of the gospel.

The first male child born in Palermo was a son of Stephen, w^ho
was born in the spring of 1779, who he named Stephen. The first
female chikl was his daughter, born in the fall of 1780, who was named
Sally. Stephen Jr. married Hiss Hary Harvey and settled on Level Hill.
The buildings are now gone, but the farm is owned by Fred Norton.
He died Dec. 21, 1857. The sons born to them were Stephen, James and
John, from whom sprang children and grandchildren too numerous to
mention. James is still living at the age of eighty-two. Sally married
David Linscott and settled on Level Hill, where their son James Linscott
now lives.

Hr. Edmund Black was ])orn in ITMC. He died in Palermo, Feb. (!.
18()!> aged seventy-two years. Hrs. Holly Black, his wife, was born in
1783 and died in Palermo April 23, 1812, aged 79 years. Eleven children
were ))orn to them in Chester, N. H., and were among the early settlers
i-omin<'- to Palermo a])out 1798. They had passed the meridian of life

V2

ere they .stnrtod on thtir lonu- liorseback jonnu'V into the wiUleiness to
their loj:; iiouse, uith their four sons James, .John, Ediiinnd Jr. and
Benjamin, and tlieir uives. James, the oklest son ^vas l)orn in diester,
\. H., Sept. 15, 17()4, and married his Avife Molly, born in Ne^^market,
N. H., Mareh ir». ITCS. They lirst settled in Meredith, N. H. They had
eiifht ehihlren. They settled in Palermo on the farm now known as the
Stndley plaee. Amonir his eliildren were E(hnund iJrd., Joshua, Olive
and James. Edmund :{rd. was born in Meredith, N. H., Jan. <J, 1788, and
married Comfort Wiugcins. H<?Avas chosen Town Clerk in 1811 and con-
tinued three years. He drove the stages for (juite a number of years.
Their children were quite numerous. Josliua was l)orn at Meredith,
N. II., June .-5, 171)0. lie married Mary Briant. He was called the vet-
I'ran stage-driver, liaving driven the stage twenty-eight years.

John Black was born June 22. 17r>(), and with his wife Betsey, set-
tled lirst on the farm wliere Ira Black now li\ cs. Among tlieir children
are Berley Black, now living in his Dlst year, and Nancy Black Sanford,
now li\ ing at the age of H(> years.

Edmund Black Jr. was born June Ki, 1772, and with his wife Betsey
settled on the Ira Black place with his biother. Among tlieir children
were Betsey, Celinda, John, Abagail and Susan. As they moved to
Headtleld, and tinally to N. Y., and their children were mostly girls, but
litllc is known of their descendants, tliough Betsey married Jose Greeley
of China, foi* her last husband.

Benjamin Black was born .April «!, 1780 and with his wife Mary first
settled on the Peleg Sanford place. Among their children were Claren-
don and Benjamin Jr. now living at the age of 78 years.

Levi Howe was l)orn at Ipswich, N. H.. Aug. 1, 17(5.'). Lucy Nelson
was born at Ipswich, N. II., Sept. 7, 17()(). When he was twenty-three
years of age they were married and settled in Alua, Maine. Seven
children were born to them : Jeremiah Howe, born Aug. J 7, 1789 and died
at the age of four months; James, born Feb. 20, 1791 ; Levi, Jr., born

June 20, 1795; Hufus, born May 15. 179G ; Annie, born July 27, ;

Jeremiah, born June 25, 1799; Mary E. born Sept. 29, \HOa. Mr. Rowe

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was an early settler who came to Palermo and settled on the farm which
has been handed down as the Rowe farm.

James Rowe married Martha Noyes of Jefferson and settled with his
father in Palermo and finally moved to Morrill: Levi, Jr., was killed on
the farm by a tree, May 25, 1811, at the age of sixteen. Rufns lived at
Alna until a young man. He married Lydia Noyes of Jefferson for his
first wife and settled in Palermo and finally settled on the old Rowe
farm. His second wife was Sally Marden, then the widow Cnnningham.
They were the parents of George and Rnfns Rowe, Jr., of Palermo and
Mrs. Frances Sylvester and Thomas Rowe of Newton Centre, Mass.
Annie was drowned, Nov. 2, 1832, a. the age of thirty-six years, while
drawing a pail of water at the spring, where Bennie Colby now lives.

Jeremiah married Miss Noyes of Jefterson, a sister of his brothers'
wives,* for his first wife and settled in Newcastle. His second wife was
Mary Andros of Palermo. They settled in Carr's corner in 1825. He
worked there at the blacksmith's tradt; and later moved to Bradford, Me.
Mary E. married John W. Marden and settled in Palermo.

Benjamin Yoiing was born in Chester N. H., 1775. He learned the
blacksmith's trade of a smith in Hallowell, Me. His first work after
learning his trade was on the first bridge across the Kennebec river at
Anguste in 1797. He then went to Belfast and worked at his trade about
four years. In 1802 he married Miss Abigail Whittier, daughter of
Joseph and Priscilla Whittier of this place, who was fourteen years of
age. They settled on the farm where his grandson Fred Young now
lives, and as he did not have slings in those days as now for shoeing
oxen, their legs were tied and turned them over on their backs while
nailing on the shoes. They had eleven children, Joseph and Page, now
living in Freedom. He died March 3, 1848 at the age of seventy-three.
His wife died April 23, 1872, aged eighty-four years.

Captain and Mrs. Elijah Grant, senior, were probably tlie oldest

*NoTE. The three brothers married three sisters.

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couple that made the horseback journey in those early days, as the
record of their births date back to 1721.

John Cain, senior, probably had the largest number of children,
which numbered eighteen.

Geneology of William Jones and Abigail Bennett Jones.

Capt. Miles Standish came in the " Mayflower" in 1620. He married
for his second wife Barbara Standish, who came in the "• Ann" in 1G23.

Their son, Alexander, married Sarah Alden, second daughter of
John and Friscilla (Mullen) x\klen, who both came in the "Mayflower."

Lydia, daughter of Alexander and Sarah (Alden) Standish, married
Isaac Sampson, born ittfiO.

Ephraim, born 1G98, son of Isaac and Lydia (Standish) Sampson,
married Abigail Horrell, daughter of Ilnmphrey Horrell of Beverly.
Mary, born in Plimpton, April 10, 1745, daughter of Ephraim and Abigail
(Florrell) Sampson, married Nov. 1st, 1764, in Middleboro, Mass., Bach-
elor Bennett, born in 1736, son of Cornelas Bennett, Physician of Mid-
dleborough, and Ruth, his wife. i!e was a soldier in the Revolutionary
war§. Abigail, born in May, 1777, daughter of Bachelor and Mary (Samp-
son) Bennett, married in 1798 William Jones, who was born in Bristol,
Me., in 1774, and died in ralermo,February, 1834. He was a son of Richard
Jones of Bristol, a soldier of the Revolution*, and committee of corres-
pondence and safety in 1782. Richard Jones was a son of Wm. Jones,
w!io came to this country in 1725 and settletl in Bristol in 1730. He was
a man much respected in liis town, and was the flrst chosen to the
Brovincial Congress in 1775t. He Avas a brother of Colonel Wm. Jones,
who was a member of the Convention of Miissaclii^setts, by whicli the
Constitution of the United States was adopted.

§See Vol. 13, Page 51; Vol. 24, Page 57; Vol. 3, Page 225, Rev. Archives, Stafe House, l^cston.
*See Vol. 19, Page 181, Kev. Archives, State House, I'oston.
tSee History of l^ristol.

15

The descendants of William and Al)iiiail (Bennett) Jones are
numerous. Their children were : Nelson, married Hannah Bowler. Thej^
had three sons and four daniihters. Abigail, married Samuel Brown.
Left a son and several daughters. Harriet, married Warren Cooper.
They had one son and five daughters. Sylvanus, died young. Eliza
Maloon, married Lot Rust. They had four sons and four daughters.
William, married Mary Ann Marr. They had four sons and three
daughters ; several of them died young. Cathlena, married Benjamin
Marr. They had one son who died in youth, and one daughter Avho
married a Turner. She left three children. Mrs. Marr is the only one
of the family now living. She resides at Branch Mills. Sylvanus, son
of Wm. Jones, is living at Branch Mills. He married Olive Erskin.
They have one son in college. Lot Kust, Jr., married Marcia Cooper,
and Hattie Rust married Abiel Erskin. Both families live at Moro,
Oregon. Cathlena Cooper married Joseph Grant. They have one son
and five daughters. Their home is in Portland. Abbie Bennett Cooper
mariied James E. Shepard of Union. He was Adjt. of the 9th Maine
V. M. during the war of the Rebellion.

Nelson W. Jones, son of Nelson and Hannah Jones, enlisted in the
r>rd Maine Reg. V. M. June 4th, 1861, and was killed July 2, 1863. He
was a very promising young man and was a sergeant with a promise of a
commission. An honor to his native town. AVest W. Cooper, only sou
of Warren and Hariiei Cooper, enlisted in the 4th Maine Regt. V. M.
May 8th, 1801, and A\as killed in action, July 21st, 1861, at the battle of
Bull Run. The G. A. R. of Union have named their Post for him, and
his name stands first upon the Roll of Honor, on the Soldiers' Monument
at Union Common.

William Jones moved his family from Bristol to Palermo in 1815,
having previously prepared their home. The old house which was large
and roomy, stood on the spot Mhere the house of Silas Bowler now
stands. It Mas in tlie old days surrounded by orchards, an ideal country
farm house. It Mas torn doAvn in 1851). William Jones' children Mere
at one time all settled around him on farms Mhich Mere a part of th<'

16

original grant in the lower part of the town. He died in middle life
from the effects of a fever contracted in New Orleans, while on a voyage
as captain of a merchant ship. Abigail (Bennett) Jones was a woman
of strong character. She was a widow for twenty-seven years. She
kept her farm and managed her affairs until she was very old. She died
in March, 1861, aged 83 years and 10 months.

Palermo has the honor of being the nativity of a millionaire. James
H. Bowler, son of Rev. William Bowler, was born at the foot of John
Ayer's hill, April 23, 1814, and died in Bangor, Maine, April 4, 1893.

CHAPTER III.

Settlements in the various places, now incorporated into towns,
were formed before any surveying was done, of which I will give a
brief account. To make a long story short I will omit the lines bounding
ralerrm) on the north, east and south, which were marked by trees,
stakes and stumps, and speak of the line between Palermo and Harlem,
name which was changed to China in 1818. The tirst survey was made in
1800, when this township was laid out. The northerly corner of the line
between the two towns was a beech tree, marked No. 11, 1800 (A). The
southerly corner between the two towns was a hemlock tree, marked as
the tirst. In 1805 it became necessary to perambulate the said line. The
survey was made by William Davis of Palermo, a sworn surveyor,
Ichabod ChadMiclv and Edwin Fairfield, selectmen of Harlem, and Elijah
Grant and Nathan Coburn, selectmen of Palermo. They commenced at
tlie lirst mentioned tree and marked it U05, thence southerly ;H)® west,
until it struck the hemlock ti ee at the southerly corner. This line they
V, ell spotted and frequently marked with a marking iron ; thus : — (A) and
at .lohnson's Mills, (now Branch Mills) a cedar post, marked on the
west (H), on the east (P), and north and south marked 1805. At the
county road near Deer Hill a beech tree was marked on the Avest side
(W. D.) (1805), (H.), (I., C), (E. F.). On the east side (U05), (P.),
(W.I).), (E.G.), (N. C). On the north and south sides. (A). The
survey was finished March 14, 1805. As time rolled on and passed away,
the cedar post had been lemoved and trees cleared away and the line was
in dispute for seven years. Palermo and China both claimed the valua-
tion and tax of those farms along the line. At the town meeting March
12, 1827, a vote was passed that those inhabitants along the west line of
the town should be held blameless and shielded from all harm by paying
their taxes in Palermo, and refusing to pay to the town of China. The
selectmen were authorized to uo and see the selectmen of China about

18

running the line, and if they conld not agree to petition the Legislature
to establish the same. The next season the line was perambulated, and
a stone monument was set at Branch Mills, which forever settled the
matter at that place, and marked 1828. Thus they were continually per-
plexed from the other sides of the town, by disputed lines. On Jan. 1,
1838, the selectmen were instructed by the town to petition the Legisla-
ture to pass an act to set stone monuments at all the corners and angles
of the town lines, so that they would not be liable, as the then existing
law require^ of them. Their petition was granted, and thus you will
see that the credit is due Palermo for the stone posts now seen throughout
the State of Maine. Sept. 10 of the same year, the selectmen set about
perambulating the tow n lines, and setting the stone monuments accord-
ing to the new law. Oct. 13, Joseph Stewart of China, a sworn surveyor,
Joseph White and Enos Greely, selectmen of Palermo, Coridon Chad-
wick and Joseph Stewart, selectmen ol China, met at the southerly
corners of the two towns and surveyed the lines northerly, to the road
where David Whitten then lived, and erected a stake and stone; thence
to the old county road near Deer Hill, where was a beech stump, which
was formerly aline tree; thence to the stone monument near Joseph
Hacker's at Branch Mills ; thence to the height of land to the road where
Reuel Balcom now lives ; thence to the new county road, then in build-
ing ; thence to the northerly end of the line between Palermo and China,
at the southerly line of Albion. They ordered stone monuments erected
at each of the given points, to be marked thus : (P. & C. 1838). On this
line were found repeated marks of former perambulation. From 1800
to 1810 the farms were surveyed by Bradstreet Wiggins of Freedom,
and laid out into shape, and a plan drawn and printed. Palermo was a
part of the Kennebec purchase, and lies within the Plymouth charter.

The first settlers of this Great Pond Settlement took up their lands
without purchase of leave of the proprietors, and held the same by pos-
session. Robert H. Gardiner of Hallowell, Maine, and Ruel Williams
of .-, were large owners in this townsliip, being two of the pro-

prietors. .".:■■. ■ .. ''....

19
Plantation Meetings were held from 1801 to 1805.

The First Town Meeting.

Christopher Erskine, one of the Inhabitants of Palermo^ in the County of

Lincoln, GREE TING:—

By virtue of an act entitled, "An act to incorporate the Plantation
f Great Pond Settlement, in the County of Lincoln, into a town by the
ame of Palermo." You are hereby required in the name of the Common-
ealth of Massachusetts to notify and warn the male inhabitants of said
)wn being twenty-one years of age and residing in said town for the
pace of one year next preceding having herein a freehold estate within
lid town of the annual income of ten dollars, or any estate to the value
f two hundred dollars, to meet at Robert Foye's dwelling house, Janu-
ry *Jth, 1805, to act on the following articles, etc.

JOSIAH STEBBINS,

Justice of the Peace.

December 30th, 1804.

The following officers were chosen : — Moderator, Samuel Longfel-
)w ; Clerk, Elijah Grant, Jr. ; Selectmen and Assessors, Elijah Grant, Jr.
[athaniel Coburn, Samuel Longfellow ; Collector and Constable, Stephen
larden ; Wardens, Samuel Longfellow and Stephen Marden ; Tything-
len, Josiah Perkins and Abel Creasey ; Pound-keeper, Daniel Clay ;
'ield-drivers, Andrew Lewis and Amos Dennis ; School Committee, Sam-
el Longfellow, Stephen Marden and Christopher Erskine, Sr. ; Hog-
Deves, Joseph Creasy and William Briant; Treasurer, Christopher
Irskine, Sr, and Palermo became an organized body.

It was voted in 1803 that Hogs should run at large, provided they be
'ell yoked and ringed. Hogreeves were chosen from three to fourteen

1 number, each year, who were civil officers, whose duty it was to im-
ound all hogs running at large that were not yoked and ringed according
) vote. This was continued many years. Cattle and Sheep had to be
\x marked and had all the rights and privileges of the highway. It was

20

also provided, in case they should break and enter a private enclosure,
by way of a four foot fence, then Pound-drivers should take them to the
Pound where they were kept until called for, and the bills paid.

From two to nine Tythingmen were chosen each je. )•, who were Par-
ish Officers. It was their duty to enforce the observance of the Sabbath
by sending the offenders to church or imposing a tine.

It seems that in tliose early days crows were troublesome as now,
for I find that in different years they paid a Ijounty of from tw elve to
twenty-five cents each for killing old croAvs and half price for young ones.

A tannery was built about 1800, on the faim where .)ohn H. Black
now lives, owned by George Carlisle. The bark was ground by hearse
power, the horse traveling round and round. Soon alter oue Avas built
by Nathaniel Bradstreet, on the stream where H. R. Carr noAv lives.
The old dam and tan vats are now plain to be seen.

Two of the first settlers at Johnson's Mills(now Branch Mills) were
John Johnson and Jacob Worthing, residents of Palermo. Johnson built
the first mills on the dam where James Dinsmorenow owns, which were
built in 1801 or before. Later Joseph Hacker came in possession of
the mills. Thty have changed hands several times since.. There was
an old Fulling Mill on the Avest end of the Toby dam and an old saw mill
on the east end, Avhich Avas built in 1823. At the raising, Silas Hamilton
was struck by a falling timber and died on Sunday, December 7th.

Jacob Worthing had tAvelve children, five of them being born before
1800. Hiram, one of the younger boys, born in 180(5, Avas first selectman
in Palermo-for many years. He Avas Postmaster continuously lor forty-
seven years, Avith the exception of tAvo y<;ars under Buchanan's Adminis-
tration. His son, Pembroke S. Worthing, is a grandson of Dea. Stephen
Marden by way oi his mother. He has served several terras as ToAvn
Clerk and first Selectman. He has been Postmaster tAvelve years.

Doctors Daniel Pratt, Samuel Hightand Enoch Huntoou Avere among
tlie first settlers and the first doctors in toAvn t)iacticing before 1800.

Another of the early settlers Avas Amasa Soule, Avho took up a farm
in 17t»i> and took his Avife and children to his neAv In^nie tvv years later.

21

She lived to be 101 years, live months and twelve daj^s old. bne was the
mother of -thirteen children. She lived to the greatest age of any person
in Palermo.

In the year 1807 two town burying grounds were purchased, one for
the lower settlement, by Jonathan Greeley's Grist Mill, and the other on
Dennis Hill in the upper settlement. A vote was passed in 1809 that the
town should be divided into two burying districts and that the dividing
line sEould be at William Tucker's, south line square across the town.
Each district to fence and care for their own yard.

In 1811 seven School Districts were formed and the school houses
were built by each c^istrict in about 1812. In the seventh district not un-
til 1822. Previous to this, schools were kept in dwelling houses and at
such places as could be obtained. The Center School, then called, in
District No. 3 was held in what is now Herbert Batchelder's old shop,
which then set near where the hearse house now stands. This school
house was built a four hiped roof. It contained two rooms ; one for a
scliool-room, the other for town meetings. It had an elevated floor about
four feet high, which required three stone steps to enter the school-room
and a flight of four wooden steps to the town part. 1 he town rented this
part for three dollars a year. It contained two brick fire places.

The first wagon in Palermo Mas owned by Dea. Stephen Harden
about 1815.

The first roads were laid out in 1802. The first road, called the main
road, commencing at the lower part of Great Pond Settlement, running
through the lower and upper settlements to the nortli line of the town,
by way of Greeley's Corner and Harden Hill, a distance of ten miles and
forty rods. The next road, called The Back Road of the tipper settle-
ment, running from Thaddeiis Bailey's to John Johnson's Hills, (now
Bninch Mills) thence to Rol)ert Foye's, where Downer now lives. An-
other called tiie Eastern road of the upper settlement, known as the Level
Hill road. Also another called the Western Road of the lower settlement
running from Longfellow's Corner to Turner's Ridge.

22

Many of the cross roads were laid out in 1805. Road from Greeley's
Corner to East Palermo and on the east side of the pond in 1806. Many
changes have since been made. Road from Branch Mills to Longfellow's
Corner in 1809. Road from John Nutter's place to Sheepscott Pond, 1807,
and changed as it now is, from said Nutter place to Fred Spratt's in
1816. The new road from James Soule's to Branch Mills, in 1819 and
old road discontinued. The Western Ridge Road in 1811, changed as
now in 1838.

The old Belfast Road of 1805 was from John Ayer's by the Oliver
Pullen Pond, crossing the Bog of the Turner Pond on a log bridge over
six hundred feet in length. In 1821 a new road was built from Ford's
Corner to Montville, still crossing the old log bridge. In 1841 a com-
mittee of three, Reuben Whittier, William Foye and Eli Ayer were
chosen to superintend the building of a new bridge to be completed with-
in four years. Those taking the job should keep it in repair while build-
ing. The bridge is of stone covered with earth six hundred and forty
feet in length.

CHAPTER IV.

About 1779, Massachusetts was divided into the District of Maine
and the District of Massachusetts ; thereby our beloved state became the
District of Maine. Still a part of that statf' having the same General
Court.' The first Representative from Palermo to the Massachusetts
Legislature or General Court, held at Boston, was Daniel Sanford, senior,
elected in 1809 and re-elected in 1811.

January 23, 1816, the Inhabitants of Palermo met at John Clark's
dwelling house and voted to petition the Legislature at its present ses-
sion for the immediate separation of the District of Maine from Massa-
chusetts, and form a separate and independent state.

September 2nd 181G they were called to meet and vote on the ques-
tion '' Is it expedient that the District of Maine shall be separated from
Massachusetts and become an independent state."* Also to choose a
delegate to meet at the old meeting house near the college in Brunswick,
in the District of Maine, agreeable to an act of the Legislature of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, passed June A. D. 1816. The vote
declared seventy-eight in favor of, and twenty opposed to the separation.
At this convention they fell short of success. May 3, 1819 a petition to
the General Court Avas laid before the town asking for their approval
and signature and the selectmen were instructed io sign it in behalf of
the town. And many towns joined in the same prayer. July 26, 1819
the voters were again warned to meet at .lohn Clark's dwelling house to
vote again on the same question. This time there were one hundred and
two votes in favor of the separation and only six opposed, and the Dis-
trict of Maine was carried by a large majority

Sept. 20, 1819 a meeting was called to choose a delegate to meet in
Convention at Portland on the second Monday in October to form a

*See Palermo records, volume ist. page 236.

24

Constitution or frame of government for said new state. Thomas
Eastman was chosen and delegates met as above and adopted a constitu-
tion. Again the voters of Palermo was warned to meet at the Centre
school house on the first Monday in December to give in their written
votes expressing their approval or disapproval of the Constitution.
The result was a unaminous vote in favor of the Constitution. Their
prayer was answered to the joy of the people. Then Congress was
asked that the State of Maine be admitted to the Union, which was
granted March 3, 1820.

December 27, 1820 the question arose " Shall this county of Lincoln
be divided and form a new county. .The answer was, No! While other
towns contended for a new county, Aug. 12, 1826, Palermo voled to
remonstrate against the proposed new county of Waldo and petitioned
to be annexed to the county of Kennebec. Feb. 7, 1827 the county of
Waldo was incorporated and named for Gen. Samuel Waldo. Still
determined against the new county a meeting was called February 23,
1827 to see if they would vote to petition the Legislature to be set otf
from the new county of Waldo and be annexed to the county of Lincoln,
Kennebec or Penobscot. They voted unanimously to petition to be set
off into the county of Kennebec, and that this vote be published in the
Kennebec Gazette and in the Lincoln Intelligencer which were the two
papers t^ken in those early days.

In 1847 onr mail bore the first U. S. postage stamps', being of the
five and ten cents denomination. September 23, 1815 a heavy gale of
wind swept over the place doing much damage to property.

November 30th, 1811 a severe earihqual<e w:is felt through New
England.

CHAPTER V.

The mill which my grandfather referred to was ou the Sheepscott
river below the pond. There were two old mills, the Jonathan Bartlett
and the Alden mills. The former said to be the oldest, which must been
built before 1790. The barn now^ standing on the William Histler farm
was the first framed barn in town, and was built as early as 1790. The
boards must have been sawed at this mill.

The old David Turner house is still standing on the old farm as a
stable, and is now owned by Wesley Turner. The Ransalaer Turner
house is also one of the first houses. It shows the style of early days.
It is in good repair and with the same good care will last another
century.

About 1800 my grandfather and his brothers, Stephen and Benjamin
built the old mill on the Benjamin Marden farm, which was an up and
down saw. The iron wol'k of the water-wheel was made in New
Hampshire, and brought to Augusta. From Augusta it was hauled on a
hand sled by two men, at that time a distance of about thirty miles
through the wilderness by spotted trees. From Augusta they followed
the river to Vassalboro' then to East Vassalboro', then around the foot
of China pond and up to near v>here the town house noAv stands; from
there to Dirigo and to Branch Mills, which was before the roads w^ere
built. This mill had the necessary machinery for making hand rakes,
which the Marden brothers sold for twentv-five cents each. They also
had a brickyard and made bricks, which supplied the houses with their
first brick chimneys. They were laid up in clay and ashes for mortar.
Later the property passed to Benjamin Marden, 2nd, and to his son
Stephen, who operated the mill. They have all passed away now except
Stephen's widow and two sons, Oscar and Frank. Oscar is a successful
lawyer in Stoughton, Mass., having graduated in 1876 from Boston
University Law School. In 1891 he was appointed Judge and Justice of

26

the District Court of Southern Norfolk. Frank is a successful business
man in the firm of George H. Leonard Co., Boston. In 1849 the old houses
on the farms formerly occupied by these Harden brothers were removed
and new ones built by Joshua Goodwin, Alva Harden and Benjamin
Harden, 2nd.

In 1844 it was voted to build a town house. The contract was let to
John Erskine for one hundred and eighteen dollars. A quari-el began
about the location. The south part of the town carried the day and it
was built on Orchard Greeley's land near the cemetery.- A warm battle
ensued and it was sold at auction for sixty-five dollars. Again the south
part ruled and bought it back by paying the interest. Several meetings
were held there during the next year. Still the battle went on and it
was again sold and moved to Longfellow's corner and since used for a
store. The present town house was built by Enos Greeley in 1847 and
located in the center of the town.

The first guide boards were made by Joseph Creasey in 1823. The
town paid him eighty-three cents each, for making. They were painted
and lettered with a hand pointing the distance towards the principal
places and have gone to decay years ago.

The first store and traders in toAvn, as far as I can ascertain, was
Burrill & Benson, who traded at Greeley's corner in 1822, and Joseph
Arnold at Carr's corner. Before this the people went to Belfast and
Wiscasset to do their shopping, and Wiscasset was the nearest Post
( )ffice.

The first building burned no record was the barn of Andrew
Bonney, burned Harch 1819, together with a large stock of cattle. A
vote was passed on April 14, instructing the selectmen to sign a petition
in behalf of the town asking the Legislature to compensate his loss.

There was a grist mill owned by John Black, which was built
about 1800. It stood on the same dam tluit Ira Black's saw mill did and
was carried away in a freshet about 1812.

Eli Carr was born in Goff'siown, X. H., in 180B. He came to
Palermo in 1811 with his father, Richey Carr, who settled on Harden

27

Hill. He is now one of the oldest men in town being ninety years of
age. His mind is clear and he can remember the most of those first
settlers and can tell where they lived. He is a respected citizen and a
worthy member of the First Baptist Church, and to him much credit is
due for his assistance in preparing this record of Palermo.

As my grandfather has said there were twenty- six families in town
in 1793. I find that about ten years later at the incorporation of the
town the families numbered about one hundred. I will give their names
omitting those already mentioned.

Moses Stevens,
Samuel Stevens,
Gideon Glidden,
Jacob Buff^nm,
Nehemiah Blake,
William Blake,
Joseph Carlisle,
Benjamin Leadbetter,
Jonathan Nelson,
Benjamin Nelson,
John Perkins,
Robinson Sanford,
Henry Sanford,
John Rigby,
Gabriel Hamilton,
Stephen Greeley,
Joseph Spiller,
David Briant,
William Briant,
Nathan Bachelder,
Samuel Creascy,
Oliver Pullen,
William Creasey,
Daniel Sylvester, Senior,

George Carlyle,
Stephen Longfellow,
Samuel Buftum,
Joseph Evans,
Jonathan Worthing,
Isaac Worthing,
John Leadbetter,
William Worthing,
Samuel Hoyt,
Daniel Nelson,
John Nelson,
Daniel Sanford,
Henry Whittier,
Stephen Bowler,
Joseph Bowler,
George Brooks,
Beriah Bonney,
John Bachelder,
David Edwards,
Jonathan Towle,
Joseph Perry,
Amos Sylvester,
Waite Weeks,
Oliver Boynton,

28

Shiibal Weeks,
Asa Boynton,
James Brown,
Eben Brad street,
Hollis Hiitchins,
Francis Somes,
Nicholas Gilman,
John Hutchins,
James Grant,
Samuel Rediuo-ton.
Nathan Stanley,
Othnal Pratt,
Joseph Turner,

Mr. Hill, Father of Dr. H.

Lnke Sylvester,
Chase Robinson,
Joseph Richardson,
Nehemiah Somes,
Nathaniel Bradstreet,
Hollis Hutchins, Jr.
Clement Meserve,
Asa Crowell,
John Gliclden,
James Dennis,
Rnfns Plnmraer,
Lot Chadwick,
Daniel Bagley,
H. Hill, late of Augusta.

CHAPTER VI.

The First Baptist Church.

About 1779 brother Stephen Belclen came to Great Pond Settlement,
bringing his Bible under his arm. As the settlers increased in numbers
and a Baptist Church being formed at Fairfax (now Albion) many of
this vicinity united with that body.

In 1804 a reformation swept this township. Those of our members
withdrew from that Fairfax church and organized the First Baptist
Church established 1804. Election of officers July 20th, 1805.

Meetings were held at Josiah Perkins' house and John Marden's
barn, on Marden Hill.

Chose John Robinson of Freedom, first clerk; John Sinclare of
Knox, first deacon ; Nathaniel Robinson, first pastor, ordained June 26,

Members were received from Freedom, Montville and Knox. Thus
it became necessary to build a meeting house and a plan for the structure
was drawn by Daniel Sylvester, Senior, showing the design and location
of the pews. These pews were sold from the plan at value, which sold
for 25 and 50 dollars each, according to choice. Thus about 1200 dollars
was secured. 1826 the contract was made with Spencer Arnold to con-
struct the building for 1100 dollars and completed in 1827 and dedicated
on New Years day, 1828, which was thronged with people each Sabbath.

A List of Membership from 1804 to the Present Time, 1896.

James Sinclair, Joseph Gowen,

William White, Benjamin Black, 1st,

Nathaniel Robinson, John Marden, 1st,

Josiah Perkins, Betsey Black, 1st,

John Robinson, Abagail Worthing,

Mr. Whitten, John Clay,

Stephen Marden, 1st, Ruth Rider,

30

A. Somes,
Heury Whittier,
John Johnson,
Abagail Harden,
Eclmimcl Black, 2nd,
Hannah Soule,
John Sinclare,
Thaddeus Bailey, Jr.
Betsey Somes
Lydla Wiggiu,
Benjamin Harden.
Abagail Perkins,
Polly Bailey,
Joseph Robinson,
Betsey Arnold.
Susanna Cunningham,
Polly Davis,
Ann Davis,
Betsey Davis,
William Davis,
Levi Davis,
Thomas Sinclare,
Nancy Davis,
Samuel Henry,
Hrs. Huntoon,
Polly Black,
Hannah Cunningham,
Betsey Weeks,
John Brovrn,
Joseph Bowler,
Grace Cook,

John Erskine, 1st,
Hrs. Campbell,

Asa Gowen,
Stephen Belden, 1st,
Abagail Belden,
Aaron Belden,
Charity Belden,
Eunice Harden,
Hrs. Whitehouse,
John Brovs^n,
Jacob Greeley, 1st,
Hannah Greeley,
Joseph Arnold,
George Robinson,
Hrs, George Robinson,
Simeon Hagridge,
Hrs Simeon Hagridge,
Hrs. Sanford,
Wiggins Perkins,
Hrs. Sylvester,
Hannah Robinson,
Eunice Brown,
Polly Robinson,
Hannah Sanders,
Lucy Rider,
Elizabeth Rider,
Asa Robinson,
William H. Robinson,
Gideon Robinson,
Smith Gilman,
Jonathan Clay,
John White,
George Smith,
Joseph Sylvester,
Susanna Sylvester,

31

Molly Black,
Abagail Young,
Stephen Longfellow,
Samuel Leadbetter,
James Black,
Nathan Bachelder,
Mrs. Nathan Bachelder,
Hannah Nelson,
Sister Wood.
Betsey Arnold,
S. Bailey,
Lucretia White,
Kuth Cummings,
Sister Wilton,
Betsey Leadbetters,
Sister Ford,
Nathan Bailey,
Nathaniel Stanley,
Mrs. Nathaniel Stanley,
. Amos Dennis,
Amasa Soule,
Sister Martin,
Asa Crowell,
William Tucker,
Samuel C. Wight,
Elder Jesse Martin,
Abagail Pullen,
Alley Marden,
Eliza Marden, 1st,
Miss Eastman,
Mrs. John Rigby,

Hannah Cummings,
Sally Frye,

Sally Sinclair,
Aaron Rollins,
John Perkins, 1st.
Knowlton Bailey,
Mrs. Williams,
Lucy Soule,
Polly Spiller,
Spencer Arnold,
Susanna Hill,
Sister Tuck,
Sally Tuck,
James Clark,
Charity Marden,
Nancy Arnold,
Molly Somes,
Hannah Somes,
Jeremiah Tuck,
Elder Dexter,
Brother Weymouth,
Sister Weymouth,
Betsey Strong,
John Rigby,
Benjamin Marden, 2d,
Betsey Bryant,
John Spiller,
Hannah Marden,
Eliza Sanders,
James Sanders,
Elder William Bowler,
Lydia Sanders,
Eliza Soule,

Gilbert Pullen,
Mrs. Gilbert Pullen,

32

Pamelia Arnold,
Maria Harden, 1st,
Patty Perkins,
Eliza Harden 2nd,
Betsey Smith,
Sally Black,
Reuben Whittier,
John Bailey, 1st,
Comfort Black,
Edmund Black, 3d,
Rachel Cummings,
Patty Black,
Hary Andros,
Thaddeous Bailey,
Charity Barlow,
John Rollins,
George Waters,
Prissilla Robinson,
James Sanders, Jr.,
Mrs. James Sanders,
Franklin Foye,
Samuel Waters,
Oren Nelson,
Asa Cowen,
James Sanders Senior,
Charlotte Pullen,
Hazen Nelson,
Hary Parkhurst,
S. L. Harden,
John A. Harden, Jr.,
Abagail Snell,
Sewall L. Black,
Silas Tabor,

Anna Harden,
Eliza Davis,
Elmira Arnold,
Hrs. Bowler,
Hrs. Davis,
Lydia Rowe,
Nancy Pullen,
Hary Arnold,
William Waters,
Rufus Rowe, Senior.
James Harden, Senior,
David Spratt, 1st,
Josiah Carr,
Hrs. James Harden,
Eliza Bradstreet,
Hary Spratt,
Sister Worthing,
John W. Bailey,
Nathaniel B. Robinson,
Rachel Arnold,
Sally Balcom,
Jonathan Sylvester,
Louis Bryant,
James Rowe,
Sarah Hamilton,
Hr. Hathorn,
Hrs. Hathorn,
Louis Davis,
Elder E. H. Emery,
Benjamin Young, Jr.,
Elder Smith,

Jacob Sanders.
Hrs. Jacob Sanders,

33

Martha J. Hatborn,
Nancy Seavey,
Cliftbrd Worthing,
Mrs. Cliflford Worthing,
William Carr,
L. Sabin,
Sarah Harden,
Laban Spratt,
Jane Wood,
Nathan Wood,
Adaline Marden,
Pamelia Wood,
Melissa Soule,
Mary Thurston,
Clarasa Black,
Mary F. Carr,
H. San ford,
D. M. Black,
Betsey Carr,
Charles Carr,
Mrs. S. Bailey,
Abagail Whittier,
Axa Noyes,
Sumner Handy,
Joanna Handy,
Wesley Bailey,
Betsey Bailey,
Clarendon Black,
Melvina Rowe,
Mrs. Luke Jaquith,
Kesiah Hallowell,
Addie White,
Samuel B. Soule,

Hiram T. Black,
Lovica Black,
Eliza Black,
Marcus Ricker,
Merrill Black,
Mercy Spratt,
Mary A. White,
Elvira Mores,
Elisha Wood,
Eliza, Wood,
Lydia Bailey,
Maliala Carr,
Jonathan Ward,
Polly Bailey,
Miss Maria Perkins,
Prissilla Waters,
Nehemiah Bryant,
Eunice Dean,
Caroline Drake,
Mary Black,

Mrs. William Worthing,
Mrs. E. Parraeter,
Mrs. S. Bailey,
Mrs. M. Marden,
Catherine Marden,
Mary Spiller,
Alice Soule,
Olive Black,
Luke Jaquith,
Josiah Hallowell,
George White,
Joseph Perkins,

Mrs. Alexander Worth,

34

Alexander Worth,
Mary Jaquith,
William Balcom,
Henry More,
Josiali Norton,
Alley Curtis.
Martha Plummer.

Eli Carr.
Eliza Nelson.
Nancy Black.
John S. A. Rowe.
Emma S. Carr.
Etta Soule.
Mary Wood.
Allen Goodwin.
C. E. Carr.
George V. Black,
George F. Rowe.

Erastus Nelson,
Nellie Black,
Gustavus Bnrgis,
Alley Clifford,
Hattie Norton,
Llewellyn Coffin.
Elder S. O. Whitten.
Jesse M. Jaquith.

Present Membership.

George M. Rowe.
Winfield Jaquith.
Ellen Rowe
Henry Carr.
D. A. Whittler.
Anna Drake.
Alice Spratt.
Cora A. Goodwin.
* Etta A. Carr.
Hattie Chadwick.
Earl Nelson.

I

On the first Wednesday of February, 1809, the 2nd Baptist Church,
near Longfellow's Corner, was organized, having withdrawn from the
1st Baptist Chyj'ch. In 1827 they took the plan of the first meetiuu"-
house and began the erection of the old church noAv removed. The 2u<
Baptist Church records were distroyed by fire many years ago.

The Methodist Church ^^as organized in the year 1830. Camp-mec
ings were held in Dr. Eli Ayer's Grove for many years. The Meetin
house was built in 1801.

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